Annual Nutrient CyclingAssessment (ANCA) in the Dutch Dairy Sector Michel de Haan

Wageningen UR

Farming & Circular Economy

Dutch aim: Efficient on minerals

• Produce more milk; pollute less

• Being more efficient on minerals: saving costs; • less costs for fertilizer• Less costs for feed• Less costs for manure export• Less costs for manure processing

• ANCA measures mineral performance

Dairy farming = nutrient cycling

ANCA calculates1. Efficiency of feeding (conversion of N and P from feed into milk and meat)2. Production of manure: excretion of N and P3. Ammonia losses from excrements and mineral fertilisers4. Crop yields: N, P, C, energy (kVEM) 5. Efficiency of fertilisation: conversion form fertiliser and manure into crop

yields6. Surpluses of N, P on farm balance7. Surpluses of N, P on soil balance8. Dynamics C-content soil (C- sequestration)9. Green House Gas emissions (CH4, N2O, CO2 )

Input for ANCA

• Feed• Milk• Manure; fertiliser• Animals• Land

Most of the data is stored already- Opportunity to help the farmer: reducing time collecting input- Opportunity to help controller: secure correct input

Milk processors Farmers union Feed suppliers Accountants

Agreement: obligation to use ANCA

From 2016 onwards: ANCA mandatory for all dairy farms

Penalty: milk will not be collected

Using ANCA properly

• Farm specific data and performances registered in a national database

• Dairy sector will be more efficient on minerals

• Good performances will be rewarded

• Good management leads to more ‘farming freedom’